Discerning anglers know about Bass Cat boats. They have been setting a high standard for these specialized rigs for years, all under the guidance of the Pierce family from Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Anglers that own any bass boat have benefited from Bass Cat firsts like the recessed trolling motor foot pedal and a hull that set the bar in rough water.
Besides the legendary ride of a Bass Cat hull, the boats have always been a trend setter in design not a follower. Just look at the six-sided Italian steering wheels and the triangle shaped livewell lids and you’ll see immediate design choice differences.
The Pierce family started Bass Cat back in 1971 and have stewarded the brand ever since. In 2015 Correct Craft acquired Bass Cat, however the Pierces are still managing the company.
Bass Cat’s President (and member of its founding family) Rick Pierce stated, “After over four decades of being owned and operated by our family we are pleased to secure our heritage with Correct Craft. Dad and I have had a blast together and now we turn the page on history. The decision is one to extend what Dad and Mom (Ron & Jan Pierce) started with their legacy. By joining the Correct Craft family Bass Cat and Yar-Craft will live well beyond our lifetimes. I look forward to where we are going to carry the brands,” added Pierce.
Correct Craft’s President and CEO Bill Yeargin stated, “Bass Cat and Yar-Craft are both outstanding brands with great reputations and exceptional teams. We could not be happier to have them joining the Correct Craft family.” Yeargin added, “Bass Cat President Rick Pierce and his family have done a wonderful job for decades and we are honored that they would trust their brands, legacy and employees to Correct Craft. We look forward to working with Rick and the outstanding Bass Cat and Yar-Craft teams in Mountain Home, Arkansas to grow these two exceptional brands on the wonderful foundation that he and his family have built.”
Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations and a 100-year history in the marine industry. The Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation and Aktion Parks.
Ron’s Pierce’s first dream of a hand built boat was stored on the front porch of his parents’ home. He ran it with his grandfather’s outboard, usually without granddad, Bill knowing it. That old wooden boat was simply the start of many memories which would unfold over time, and fostered by those who care.
That dream opened the door to a new world. A world of skiing and eventually bass fishing, as life evolved and changed with family. From that old wooden boat others would follow, as the Pierce family stayed active in the outdoors. Eventually, Ron achieved a successful career in the plastics industry. Things were changing as he and Jan looked for something different. In Mountain Home they purchased a small drive-in restaurant, following in the footsteps of Jan’s parents. There, cookin’ chickens on a Sunday afternoon ran into the case lots. This was too monotonous for a dreamer who loved to fish.
They moved forward and in 1971, Ron and Jan started Bass Cat in their two car garage. From there, it moved to a small military style quansit hut…which was quickly outgrown. Their final move was in 1972 to the present location, where the factory stands today. Several additions and alterations have been made since 1999, with more to come.
Over the years things in the business also changed. Those first Bass Cat boats could be purchased for less than $1,000. The entire package wouldn’t run more than $2,500.
Eventually innovations like recessed trolling pedals and elevated electronics found their way into other boats. Just like the battery chargers and interior box lighting, they are not gimmicks. And neither are the production techniques, as the Pierces were never able to grasp the mid ‘70s concept of simply screwing a boat together. There was just something wrong in having to tighten screws that held the boat together after a long day on the water. So, the Pierces always build bass boats as one unit. These construction methods are amazingly claimed by many nowadays.
In 1977 the Pierces took the Bass Cat vee hulls in a new direction. That too was copied by the largest in the industry today. In 1984, Bass Cat introduced the design which patterned the first of today’s 19 foot, 200 hp rated, wide beam (92”) bass boats. The Pantera Pro model was revolutionary. Then, in 1988, it was the Pantera II and Sabre…the first of any of today’s true tournament machines. The equipment on those Pantera II’s and Sabres is still unmatched by most…and the Pantera IV (P4) led the way as the tradition continues.
The Puma is probably the most innovative tournament boat since the Pantera II and Sabre of 1988. Then, there is the new wide body hull for larger engines, which many only try to achieve, and again claim to have. Though again, we were the first.
The 2026 Bass Cat Lynx STS is a redesigned 20’7” high-performance fiberglass bass boat featuring the advanced STS hull, known for a soft, dry ride and speeds exceeding 70-76+ mph. It boasts a massive, wide, traditionally laid-out front deck, new ergonomic seating, and significant storage capacity.
Key features and specifications include a rating for up to a 300 hp engine, a 60-gallon fuel capacity, 20’7” length, 96” beam, and a 2,080 lb. hull weight that sports a traditional front deck layout, wide-open shelves, and a removable day box. Huge rod storage compartments, in-deck coolers, and updated, high-support seats are standard. These boats are often equipped with dual eight foot Power Pole Blades, hydraulic jack plates and flush-mounted 12” graphs.
The 2026 Lynx STS also incorporates new seating with better bolster support, improved storage organization and a “one-pump” livewell system.
You’ll find Bass Cat boats at Rock Outdoors locations in Virginia and North Carolina.
www.rockoutdoors.com
